Analysing Policy/Lobby Case: Protecting Kids on Social Media Act

Analyzing Policy/Lobby Case
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Analyzing Policy/Lobby Case
Louisiana’s representatives have been advocating for enacting diverse policies to protect different groups in the state. One recent policy that has received significant backlash and opposition is the “Protecting Kids on Social Media Act,” introduced in the House by four senators led by Laurie Schlegel towards the end of April (Singer, 2023). The policy is similar to many other propositions and enactments by states like Arkansas and Utah seeking to protect children from accessing social sites that expose them to sexualized videos, images, and other negative content online. Proposers of this policy consider this approach a progressive move for averting the widespread mental health ramifications that develop gradually due to the bombardment of the innocent and vulnerable minds of the minor with such content. Laurie Schlegel and her team recognize that this policy targets a sensitive and controversial topic that attracts heated opposition from civil liberties groups that feel it hampers principles of free speech in the state. However, they remain adamant and motivated to advance this policy by seeking support from other like-minded individuals to promote this course and protect American children.
The mission of Laurie Schlegel and her colleagues from the Republican and Democratic parties was to task adult website companies and social media platforms to become more responsible. The uncontrolled access to pornographic materials by minors who can easily bypass the prompts to verify whether they are adults by simply keying in a false birthday has become rampant in the United States. The legislators noted that children are constantly being exposed to damaging content online due to the unaccountability of the companies. Such an aspect has led to increased mental health issues among this young population, requiring stricter measures by the government to restrict their access. Heckt (2022) reveals research that demonstrates over 22% of consumers of pornographic materials are children below ten years. Statistics also indicate that 36% of underage consumers are aged 10 to 14 years, with the average age of exposure to such materials being 11 years. These statistics are overwhelming, considering the long-term impact of such exposures on the mental health of these children. As a result, a need to enforce laws that protect children is fundamental.
Schlegel and her colleagues’ policy incorporates clauses requiring companies to demand digital user verifications. Websites will have to prevent users below the age of 13 and only approve the access of individuals between 13 and 17 upon reception of verifiable parental consent (Singer, 2023). In this process, firms must incorporate systems that can affect the age-verification using relevant government documents such as driving licenses and IDs. Such propositions sought to balance the regulatory sector that has overlooked internet businesses despite laws governing brick-and-mortar ones, including the adult zones that prohibit the sale of similar content physically to children or other products such as ...